“Still, we mustn’t be too extravagant,” Ethel reminded her.
And yet, in spite of their forebodings, they found no more difficulties in their path as the time progressed; indeed, they began to feel as if luck would be with them all the way. They drove into Lima on scheduled time, and went directly to Mae’s new home.
They found it without any trouble, situated on the wide main street, farther out from the traffic and the places of business. The width of the avenue, the height of the lovely old shade trees, the dignity of the green and white house itself, surrounded by beds of flowers, took them somewhat by surprise; they had not expected to find anything so prepossessing in so small a town.
Carefully locking their machines, but leaving their baggage until later, they ran lightly up the hedge-bordered walk to the porch. The prospect of seeing one of their missing comrades filled them all with delight, and made them act like children again.
“I’m going to be the first to give Mae a big hug!” exclaimed Alice, pushing right up to the doorstep.
“No, me!” protested Daisy, as if she were a six-year-old.
“Here she comes!” announced Mrs. Remington, and both girls jostled each other towards the door. A moment later it was thrown open from the inside; but instead of Mae’s smiling countenance they beheld the immovable face of a butler!
“Oh!” gasped Alice; but Mrs. Remington saved the situation by asking for Mrs. Melville.
“She is expecting you,” answered the servant, quietly. “Please step in.”
The interior of the house proved to be just as charming as the exterior. The wide, square hall with its lovely curved staircase, the big rooms on either side, now appearing cool and delightful with their summer hangings and grass rugs, the big screened windows reaching from the floor to the ceiling seemed so restful, so inviting to the girls after their hot trip. The whole house was much more sumptuous than anything they had pictured; for a moment they felt almost awe-struck, as if they were about to pay a formal call upon some older woman instead of being there to spend the week-end with one of their chums. But as soon as Mae entered, they forgot their embarrassment.